Mechanism for printing upon wood



W. HOLLINGSWORTH. MECHANISM FOR PRINTING UPON WOOD.

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Patented Jan. 14,,1896.

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W. HOLLINGSWORTH. MEGHANISM FOR PRINTING UPON WOOD.

No. 553,159. Patented Jan. 14, 1896.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

5 W. HOLLINGSWORTH. MBGHANISM FOR PRINTING UPON WOOD.

Patented Jan. 14, 1896.

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W. HOLLINGSWORTH. MECHANISM FOR PRINTING UPON WOOD.

Patented Jan. 14, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM HOLLlNGSVORTH, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

MECHANISM FOR PRINTING UPON WOOD.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 553,159, dated January14, 1896.

Application filed October 9, 1894. Serial No. 525,424. (No model.)

To "ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM HOLLINGS- WORTH, a citizen of the UnitedStates, resid' ing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Printing upon Wood, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mechanism for printing on wood, beingparticularly designed for printing the ends or other portions of woodenboxes. It has long been customary to place thereon the name of themanufacturer or dealer, together with the name of the article or theparticular class of goods contained in the box, with or without othermatter, ornamental or otherwise.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide a novel and simplemechanism for printing upon the ends or other portions of wooden boxes,to reduce the cost of such mechanism, and to render this operationrapid, certain and accurate.

The invention consists in the novel features of construction and in theparts and combinations of parts hereinafter fully explained, and thenparticularly pointed out in the claims which conclude thisspecification.

To enable others skilled in the art to which my invention pertains tofully understand and practice the same, I will proceed to describe saidinvention in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed inaccordance with said invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation taken from thefront end of the machine, a part being in vertical section. Fig. 3 is avertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 4 is a detail elevation,partly in section, showing one of the ink-founts. Fig. 5 is a transversesection of the ink-founts shown in Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is a plan view of thetable, side gages, and feed-head, the other parts being omitted. Fig.7is a transverse section of the same upon the line 7 7 in Fig. 6. Fig.Sis a detail perspective of the feed-head and its attaching-bolt. Fig. 9is an end elevation of the form-cylinder, part being broken away to showone of the clamps holding the forms. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of thesame partly in longitudinal section. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective ofone ofthe dogs or clamps by which the form is secured to theform-cylinder, said figure also showing a portion of one of therack-bars by which the dog is controlled. Fig. 12 is'a transversesection of one of the inking-rolls, showing the ink-transferring sheetand its clamp. Fig. 13 is a face view of part of the roll, showing theclamping and stretching bar in arrangement with theink-transferringsheet. Fig. 14 is a detail section of the end of therock-shaftand lever-arm operating the feed devices. Fig. 15 is a detailsection of a portion of the table, showing the fastening for one of theside gages.

The reference-numcral l in said drawings indicates the frame of themachine, which may be of any suitable form capable of supporting theoperative parts. Upon the frame is mounted a table 2, having pivotalsupport at one end by means of trunnions 3 on the machine-frame, whichproject inwardly and engage lugs at. on the'under side of the table. Ata little distance from its other end the table has support by means ofbolts 5, tapped through and near its edge, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6,and resting upon the journalboXes of the impression-eylind er, asdescribed in detail hereinafter. J am-nuts 6 are provided upon the bolts5, whereby they may be locked at any point to which they are adjusted,the purpose of the adjustment being fully explained at the proper pointhereinafter. Upon the table are arranged side gages, consisting ofbasepieces 7, parallel with the longitudinal line of the table and uponopposite sides of the central line thereof. From these pieces riseuprights 8, their inner faces flush with the base-pieces andperpendicular to the surface of the table. Projecting from the back ofeach of said basepieces, at a point between its extremities, is anextension 9, having a lug 10 below its under surface, which lies intransverse channel 12 in the table, Figs. 1 and 6, by which the guidesmay be separated or caused to approach each other in a right line, toaccommodate boards of different width or length, as the case may be.Through the lug 10 extends a bolt 13, havinga beveled head 10 lying in asimilarlyformed channel in the table, so that by turning the nut on theupper end of the bolt 13 the side guide may be moved in the channel 12to any desired point, and clamped by turning the nut in the oppositedirection. The channels 12 in the table are preferably cut through theedges thereof to facilitate the removal of dirt and render them ineffect selfcleansing by the travel of the lugs and the beveled heads 10of the bolt. This independent movement of the side gages permits theirready adjustment to suit any size of boards, as well as for the purposeof allowing the impression to be made at any desired point upon saidboards.

Between the rearward ends of the side gages is a support or rear gagefor the edges of the boards to bring them into vertical alignment. Thissupport consists of an adjustable bracket 14, substantially L-shaped,upon which is formed or mounted a perpendicular post 15, against whichthe edges of the boards rest. The short arm of the L-shaped bracketoverlies a channel 16 in the table, parallel with the longitudinal lineof the latter, and extending from the rearward end of the table onto oneof the transverse channels 12. This channel 16 is beveled or wideneddownwardly and the short arm of the bracket 14 has a bolt 17 lyingvertically therein, and having its beveled head lying in thesimilarly-formed channel 16, the construction and function being similarto that already described in connection with the side gages. I

The long arm of the L-shaped bracket 14 crosses a longitudinal channel19, which is substantially in the central line of the table and extendedfrom the pivotally-supported end of the latter into a transverse opening20, located near the other end. The bracket is arched over this channel19, Figs. 3 and 6, to form an opening or space 21 between its lower faceand the surface of the table. In the channel 19 lies a slide 22, flushwith the table-top and capable of reciprocation in said channel. Thisreciprocation is effected by means of a lever-arm 23, connected by link24' to afeedhead secured to the slide 22. The feed-head consists of aplate 25 lying beneath and crossin g the channel 19, its edges lyingagainst ribs 26, projecting from the lower side of the table and uponopposite sides of the channel 19. Forming part of the plate 25 is ablock 27, lying in a slot beneath the channel 19 and bolted to theslide. Upon the upper face of the latter is mounted an adjustablefeed-lug 28. (Shown in detail in Fig. 8.) Said feed-lug is provided onits lower face with a block 29, which lies in a channel 30, cutcentrally and longitudinally in the slide 22. Near the rearward edge ofthe feed-lug a bolt 31 is passed through it, the head 32 of said boltbeing rectangular and beveled to conform to the shape of the beveledchannel in which-it lies. A nut is turned on the upper end of the bolt31, a countersunk recess 33 being formed to receive said nut and enableboth it and the end of the bolt to lie a little below the upper face ofthe feedlug. The height of the latter above the surface of the slide andtable is somewhat less than'the thickness of the thinnest board printed.The lever-arm 23 is mounted on a rock-shaft 34 in the lower part of themachineframe, on one side of which the shaft projects, Figs. 1 and 2,its end being provided with an arm 35, which is mounted on the shaft bya slip-bearin g or in such manner as to permit it to slip on the shaftshould the feed of the board be accidentally arrested. In the forked endof this arm is pivoted the end of a pitman 36, which is operated by acrank-pin 37, carried by a projection 38, which forms part of a sleeve39. This sleeve is divided at a point opposite the projection 38, and isslipped upon the hub of a gear carried by the shaft 40, as seen in Fig.1, and is clamped by a bolt 41, which passes through one of the parts ofthe sleeve and is tapped into the other part. This construction enablesthe crank-pin to be set at any point in its circle of revolution withrelation to the form-cylinder, which is carried by the shaft operatingthe pitman. Said shaft and its connections will be described in detailin their order. 7

The shaft 40 carries the form-cylinder 42, which is rigidly mounted onsaid shaft. This cylinder, which is shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10,consists of a drum of such diameter as to enable it to carry thedifferent sizes of forms used. In the cylindrical face, at suitablyintervals, are formed channels 43, parallel with the axis of the shaft40, and communicating with the exterior by slots 44 of less width thanthe channel 43. In each channel are inserted two strips or bars 45 and46, lying side by side, one end of each strip having a threaded portionwhich projects beyond the end of the cylinder. Each strip is providedwith teeth 47, those upon one strip having a pitch opposite those on theother. On the threaded end of each strip is turned a milled nut 48,having a collar 49, between which and the nut is a channel 50, in whichlies arib 51 forming part of a plate 52, bolted to the end of thecylinder. The rotary movement of the milled nut thus produceslongitudinal displacement of the strip on which it is mounted in eitherdirection.

The form by which the printing isdone consists of a plate 53, curved ina line struck with a radius equal to that of the exterior of thecylinder. It may extend over any portion of the latter according to thesize and character of the impression to be made. Its parallel curvededges are beveled, as shown in Fig. 10, and it is locked, released, andadjusted in position by the following means:

The numeral 54 indicates a dogconsisting of a plate of substantiallyrectangular form, one of its edges being projected to form a lip 55.Connected to said plate by a strong web 56 is a second plate 57, lyingat a small angle with the first, and of such width as to extend acrossbut'move freely in one of the channels 43. Beneath the lip the edge ofthe web is at a right angle with the plate having such lip; but upon theopposite edge the web is inclined to the point of union with the edge ofthe plate 57, and upon said edge of the latter plate is formed a lip 58,extending about half the width of the plate and projected nearly at aright angle to its face. The web 56 is of such width that it will enterthe slot 44, and the construction described enables the lip 58 to engagethe teeth upon one of the strips lying in the channel 43, while the lip55 will engage the beveled edge of the form, as seen in Fig. 10. The lip58 on the plate 57 will thus engage the square faces of the teeth on oneof the strips, these faces being turned toward or in the direction ofthe form, and by moving this strip inward in the channel 43 the lip 55may be made to clamp the edge of the form with considerable force. Theadjustment of the strip is made by means of the milled nut 48, and alike adjustment of the other strip and dog confines the form between twoof said dogs lying in each one of the channels 43 crossed by the form.If it is necessary to adjust or remove the latter, the nuts 48 aresimply turned far enough to relieve the strain from the dogs and permitthe lips 55 to be lifted out of the teeth of the two strips 45 and 46,after which the lips may be raised free of the teeth and moved in eitherdirection in the slots 44. It is evident that the clamping devicesdescribed are adapted for a variety of uses other than that specifiedand without limitation to a cylinder or any other special form of devicein which the channels 43 are formed.

Directly beneath the form-cylinder is the impression-cylinder 59, lyingin the opening 20 in the table and rising slightly above the plane ofthe surface of the latter. The journals of this cylinder have support inboxes 60, which are arranged in vertical channels in the opposite sidesof the frame, and said boxes are sustained by vertical shafts 61, whichare threaded through the hubs of bevel-gears 62, resting on the side ofthe frame. These shafts rise into chambers 63 in the lower part of thejournal-boxes, in which are springs 64 coiled around the shaftsandresting at one end on collars 65 rigidly mounted on the shafts andlying in the chambers 63, their upper ends abutting against the boxes.The springs 64 are of considerable strength, being so adjusted as totension that the pressure exerted will drive the ink from the form intothe wood and form a slightly-indented im- 60 support the bolts tappedthrough the edges of the table, the latter being thus adjustedindependently of the impression-cylinder.

The form is provided with printing-surfaces in relief which are inked byink-cylinders 69, each carried by a shaft 70, its journal lying in boxes71, which have vertical adjustment in ways 72 in the sides of the frame.The boxes are sustained by springs 73, and are adjustable downwardagainst the tension of said springs bymeans of bolts 7 4. As thesecylinders are arranged at intervals above the form-cylinder and aresubstantially similar one to another, a description of one will besufficient for all. Each ink cylinder or drum is plane-surfaced, asshown in Figs. 12 and 13, save fora longitudinal channel 7 5 extendingnearly from end to end of the same. In this channel is arranged aclamping and stretching bar 76, through which bolts 77 are passed atsuitable intervals and tapped through the wall of the cylinder. From theface of the bar adjacent to the cylinder project two series of spurs orpoints 78 arranged at short intervals near its parallel edges. The baris of slightly less width than the channel in which it lies, and itsouter face is convex to form a flush surface with the cylinder. Theinktransferring sheet 79, which consists of any suitable material, isdrawn around the cylinder and its edges are brought over the channel andunder the spurs upon the bar 76. As the latter is pressed into thechannel the spurs draw the ends of the sheet toward the center of thecylinder far enough to place it under proper tension and produce aperfectly smooth exterior surface.

The colored inks are supplied. from founts 80 journaled above theink-cylinders and removedfrom contact with the ink-transferring sheets,the colors being transferred by spreading-rolls to inking-pads 81, whichare applied in any suitable manner to the outer faces of theink-transferrin g sheets, on which they lie in such relief that theywill receive ink at each revolution from the spreading-rolls. Two of thelatter are arranged between each fount and each ink-cylinder. One of thespreadin g-rolls 82 is in direct contact with the founts and ispreferably of less diameter than the second 83, which transfers the inkfrom the first roll to the inking-pad. Both these rolls have acomposition face 84 and are driven by surface contact.

Each ink-fount consists of a hollow drum 80, having filling-openings inits ends, closed by plugs 85. At suitable intervals of separation, asshown in Fig. 5, the drum is provided with small perforations 86 formedin lines parallel with its axis and cut through its wall. Theseperforations open into chan nels 86 countersunk in the outer face of thedrum, in which lie strips 87, provided with apertures 88 at intervalsequal to those separating the perforations 86. Said strips aredovetailed into the channels 86 and at one end they are bent at a rightangle toward the axis of the drum, their ends lying in the grooved headsof bolts 89, tapped into the end of the drum. By turning these bolts thestrips may be adjusted with great accuracy and in such manner as toregulate the size of the discharge-openings and the exact quantity ofink required.

From each of the side portions of the frame supporting the form-cylinderextend arms 90, on which is mounted a gage-plate 91 lying in front ofthe boards, which are piled between the side gages. The lower edge ofthis gage-plate lies at a point above the table, from which it isseparated by a space a little greater than the thickness of the board.This space is regulated by the vertical adjustment of the table by meansof the bolts 5.

Power is communicated to the shaft of the impression-cylinder from ashaft 91, which is provided with a fast and loose pulley 92 and 93. Itis communicated from said shaft through a gear 94: to the shaft of theimpression-cylinder and through an intermediate 95 to a large gear 96 onthe shaft of the formcylinder. Thence from the other side of the machinethe shaft 40 is geared to each of the ink-cylinders, and from the latterto each of the ink-founts.

To insure accuracy in the feed of the boards by the action of the slide22, I provide one of the base-pieces 7 of the side gages with aspring-pressed extremity 97, hinged or pivoted to the end of thebase-piece and pressed by a spring 98 toward the opposite side gage. Theaction of this extremity will be upon the edge of the board which restson the surface of the table, and its tendency will be to guide eachboard straight and cause each to be properly registered with the form onthe formcylinder and the impression-cylinder.

The gear 96 is graduated on its outer face with reference to a pointerof the crank proj ection 38, which forms part of the split sleeve 39.This enables the feed to be adjusted by loosening the bolt 41 andturning the split sleeve on the hub of the gear 96.

What I claim is 1. In a mechanism for printing upon wood, thecombination with a form-cylinder of a table pivotally supported at oneend, an impression-cylinder arranged at or near the other end, means forgiving vertically adjustable support to the journal-boxes of saidimpression-cylinder, and vertically adjustable supports for the cylinderend of the table resting on the said journal-boxes, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a mechanism for printing upon wood, the combination with a tablepivotally supported at one end of a form-cylinder j ournaled in rigidboxes above its other end, an impression-cylinder lyin gin an opening insaid table below the form-cylinder, threaded shafts supporting springswhich sustain the journalboxes of said impression-cylinder, bevel-gearsthrough which the shafts are tapped, means for operating saidbevel-gears in unison, and bolts tapped through the table and resting onthe adjustable boxes of the impression-cylinder substantially asdescribed.

3. In a machine for printing on wood, the combination with aform-cylinder having its journals supported in rigid bearings, animpression-cylinder, vertically adjustable, elastic'supports for the journal-boxes of the impression-cylinder, a table supported at one end ona horizontal pivot and provided atits opposite end with a transverseopening for the impression-cylinder, a vertically adjustable support forthe cylinder-end of said table, an ink-cylinder having an ink-transfersheet which is provided with forms in relief, an ink fount and aspreading-roll to transfer ink from said'fount to the inking-forms,substantially as described.

4. In a machine for printing upon wood, the combination with aform-cylinder having its journals supported in rigid bearings, of animpression-cylinder, vertically adjustable, elastic supports for thejournal-boxes of the impression-cylinder, a table supported at one endupon a horizontal. pivot and provided at its opposite end with atransverse opening for the impression-cylinder, a vertically adjustablesupport for the cylinder end of said table, a plurality of ink-cylinderseach having an inktransfer sheet, a series of inking-forms detachablymounted in relief upon said sheets and timed to act in succession ondifferent parts of the form, and ink-founts supplying inks of differentcolors to said forms, substantially as described.

5. In a machine for printing on wood, the combination with aform-cylinder, of an inkcylinder having an ink-transfer sheet, a barlying in a channel in the face of'the cylinder,

said bar having spurs which engage the ends of the sheet, and bolts todraw the bar into said channel, substantially as described.

6. In a machine for printing on wood the combination with an ink-fountconsisting of a hollow drum having perforations arranged at intervals ina line parallel with its axis, of a strip lying in a countersunk channelin the face of the drum and provided with apertures which are capable ofregistering with those in the drum, and means for adjusting said stripslongitudinally, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM HOLLINGSVORTH.

Witnesses:

FELIX R. SULLIVAN, G. DAVIS NEAVITT.

